Child Protection

Cumberland City Council acknowledges the significant and lasting impact that abuse can have on children and young people.

Council plays a role in the prevention of abuse and contributes to the safety and wellbeing of Cumberland’s children and young people that utilise Council’s various services and facilities.

Council is committed to embedding child-safe practices on the journey to becoming a child safe organisation and doing our part to mitigate risk to Cumberland’s youngest citizens.

What is child abuse and neglect?

Child abuse and neglect can be classified in many different forms including physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and psychological harm.

For a detailed reference on this topic, please refer to the Child at Risk of Harm and Neglect information on the Department of Communities and Justice website.

If you need help now

If you need help, assistance or urgent support, call one of the following crisis services:

• For an emergency, call the emergency number Triple Zero 000, to be connected to Police, Fire or Ambulance services.
• If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, contact the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111
• For private and confidential telephone counselling for people aged 5 to 25 years, contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800

Council's Child Protection Framework

The Child Protection Policy (PDF, 202KB) is the overarching document with four guidelines that inform practices in relation to: 

• Mandatory Reporting of Risk of Significant Harm (PDF, 336KB)
• Allegations against Staff (where children and young people are involved
• Recruitment and Selection
• Child Safe Organisation

A Child Protection Procedure was also developed to guide staff in their mandatory reporting obligations where there are child protection concerns. The procedure follows the steps of completing the Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG) and reporting to the Child Protection Helpline where required.

Making a Complaint involving My Child

Cumberland City Council takes complaints and allegations involving children and young people seriously. Where appropriate, complaints and concerns can be made directly to the service that your child/ren is involved in or via Council’s complaints process - https://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/compliments-and-complaints

What is a Child Protection Allegation?

A suspected or confirmed concern or complaint involving a Council staff member or Council representative and children or young people (under 18 years of age). This is where the child or young person’s care, safety or protection may have been compromised as a result.

Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards are one of a number of recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. They provide a benchmark by which organisations can assess their child safe capability. The standards provide guidance for organisations to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first whilst keeping them safe from harm.

Cumberland City Council is working towards becoming a Child Safe Organisation through the implementation of the 10 Child Safe Standards. The standards are as follows:

Implementing the standards effectively will help the organisation drive cultural change. A child safe culture encompasses a set of values and practices that guide the attitudes of all Council employees.

National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme is a recommendation arising out of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Scheme commenced on 1 July 2018 and will be in place for 10 years (2018 – 2028).

The Redress Scheme was designed to provide acknowledgment and support to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. It can provide any of three aspects to survivors. The first two include payment of up to $150,000 as well as access to counselling – both of which are underwritten by NSW Government. The third aspect includes a Direct Personal Response (DPR) whereby Council is responsible for delivering a personal apology and should be undertaken in consultation with the survivor.

Should Council become subject to an application through the Scheme, there is an accessible procedure and management process to be followed.

More information can be found on the National Redress Scheme website.

Further information

You can also contact the Children and Youth Development Team at Cumberland City Council with any questions, email, cschildrenfamilies@cumberland.nsw.gov.au